My goal is to help every mother to have a safe and satisfying experience during childbirth, the way each mother defines it. I work with the mother's medical team and her partner to provide her with the information, physical and emotional support she needs to make the best decisions possible.

Prenatal Care:

• On-Call from 10 days before your estimated due date
  until the birth
• At least two pre-natal appointments
• Compose a written Birth Plan
• Discuss your pain medication preferences / concerns
• Pack your birth bag
• Calming and focusing techniques for labor
• Define your needs, concerns and priorities for your newborn
• Guaranteed back-up and community referrals

At our prenatal appointments we will spend some time getting to know each another, so I can learn how best to support you and your chosen birth team. We will discuss your pain medication preferences / concerns, and your hopes and intentions for your birth. I have a very detailed set of questions for you to assess your preferences which becomes a written Birth Plan / Intention, which is given to your medical care providers at the hospital. We will work through some calming and focusing techniques to help you through active labor and birth, and discuss your preferences for perinatal care in the hospital.

Labor and Birth Support:

• Immediate supportive contact begins in early labor
• Specific coping techniques to fulfill your needs
• Comfort you and your birth team at home during active labor
• Work with you and your medical practitioner to decide the best time to leave for the hospital
• Encourage, inform and reassure you as medical choices and necessities are presented
• Support you at the hospital until the baby is born and for the first hours after birth
• Capture your baby's special day with photography, if you wish

After labor begins, we begin prompt phone contact. I will offer you specific suggestions to cope with early labor. Many women find that early labor is pretty easy and many can even sleep, eat, walk and dance their way through it! We will stay in regular phone communication, and as soon as you need my care once labor picks up in intensity I will come your home and assist you during active labor.

While laboring, I provide massage, aromatherapy, and a wide variety of comfort measures, position suggestions, and informed support for you and your birth partner. I will help inform your decision about the right time to go to the hospital, and I will go with you and support you through the birth. I like to stay with new families after the baby is born to make sure that you are all doing well, help you initiate baby's first feeding, and just to make certain you are all settled. I will come visit you 3-5 days after birth (when your milk comes in) for in-home lactation assistance, and to bring you your birth photos.

Cost of Quality Doula Care:

Doula services are provided locally for anywhere between $600-$1500, and the fees for my services are well within that range. Choosing a support person for your birth is a very personal matter. I do encourage you to contact me so we can discuss your individual needs and desires for doula care, Pregnancy Photography and Blessing Ways. I would love the opportunity to support you during your birth!

Pregnancy Portraits & Birth Photography:

I provide professional-quality photographic portraits to show your beautiful pregnant form- I have taken incredible portraits in many local outdoor locations, your home or anywhere you like.Please do tell me you're interested in photography, and we can make your portraits really reflect you, your partner and the unique experience of YOU being pregnant. Pregnancy Portraits are an additional fee, but Birth Photography is included in my doula care package, if you wish. Many families treasure these photographs of their child's birth and first moments of life, and usually moms tell me they never even noticed the camera in the moment!